Due to the heavy snow blocking the road, General Ban's army had to take a detour, and on top of that, Nan Xiangyao took into account my physical condition and slowed down our pace. We often rode together wrapped in fox fur on this "stolen horse", casually taking in the scenery, pointing out the sunset, it felt like we were touring the mountains and rivers. By the time we returned to the capital, the snow had already melted, and spring was approaching.

  After the battle of Ye City, it was no longer possible to conceal the news that I and Weiyuan were going to Mobei. I don't know what arrangements Nan Chengyao made or what kind of explanation he gave to the emperor and the world. Anyway, on the day we entered Ye City, the streets were empty, and every household in the imperial city rushed to the city gate, cheering and welcoming us with voices full of admiration and adoration. To my surprise, many of them were also cheering for the three princesses.

  The sparse shadow sitting in the carriage with her couldn't help but excitedly say: "Miss, miss, look! So many people are all supporting you and the Third Highness!"

  As I looked at her, I suddenly thought of when I returned to Ye City and saw her again. The little girl tightly hugged me and refused to let go, crying loudly with such unreserved affection and passion that even now, thinking back on it, my heart is still warm.

  I followed her gaze out of the carriage curtain and immediately spotted the outstanding figure on the "Thieving Light Chariot" in the front, wearing a white feather armor, with an astonishingly elegant demeanor.

  The sounds of the people's songs and cheers filled my ears, while the military commands and slogans were uniform and majestic, overwhelming the sky. For a moment, my line of sight was stuck, and I didn't even notice myself.

  Shu Ying slowly lowered the carriage curtain, but inadvertently bumped into my subconscious action of looking around, and couldn't help but stretch out her hand to pull up the half-lowered curtain again, covering her mouth with a smile: "Don't put it down, let Miss see Third Highness clearly."

  I felt embarrassed and my face turned red, I glared at her and said: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

  She smiled with her eyes curved, seeing that I was too embarrassed to look outside again, so she put down the car curtain, leaned against me and coquettishly said: "Miss, what's there to be embarrassed about? Poshuang has been watching you and the Third Prince on this road, and my heart is filled with joy! If Master and Madam knew, they would also be delighted..."

  She said, suddenly bursting with a strange idea: "Miss, when will you give birth to a young master or a young princess? At that time... hmm..."

  I was so embarrassed and in a hurry that I covered her mouth with one hand: "You little girl, who did you learn from, just talking nonsense!"

  She smiled and pushed me away: "Getting married and having children is a normal thing for people to do, why are you so shy about it, miss?"

  My face flushed with anger, I glared at her and deliberately said: "It's only natural for people to feel this way. I think you're old enough now, so when the opportunity arises, I'll ask my mother to help find a good match for you. What do you say?"

  She was startled and hastily said: "Miss, what are you talking about? Poshuang doesn't want anyone else, just wants to accompany Miss for a lifetime!"

  I looked at her with interest: "Getting married and having children is a normal thing for people, you said that."

  "Good miss, isn't it enough that I was wrong? From now on, Shu Ying won't dare to tease the young lady again!" She became more and more anxious, holding onto my arm and repeatedly begging for forgiveness.

  I looked at her like that, couldn't help but burst out laughing. She saw me laugh and understood that I was just joking earlier, let out a big sigh of relief, and then immediately turned around with a mischievous grin: "Miss, when did you learn to be so much like the Third Prince? He loves to tease people, he teases you, and you take it all out on Piao Ying..."

  Just as I was saying that, the horse carriage slowed down and stopped. Soon, a eunuch lifted the curtain for me, and the small compartment immediately brightened up. In the brightness ahead, Nan Chengyao walked over slowly, smiled slightly, and stretched out his hand to me.

  I gently handed my hand over to his, letting him help me down from the carriage. We entered through the main gate of the Forbidden City, walked along the imperial path, passing through the Gate of Supreme Harmony, the Gate of Heavenly Purity, the Meridian Gate and the Gate of Divine Might, until we finally arrived in front of the Hall of Imperial Supremacy.

  His Majesty's complexion is still not quite right today, but because of Nan Chongyang's great achievement this time, even though he was ill, he still personally dressed up to welcome him.

  I knelt behind Nan Chongyao's right side, first paying respects to the Emperor on the white jade steps according to protocol, then seeing him off with family etiquette.

  His Majesty personally stepped down from the jade steps and helped Nan Chongyao up with his own hands, and also had the eunuch who made the announcement come over to help me up.

  The Son of Heaven's face is hidden under the twelve-layered crown, with red, white, blue, yellow and black jade pendants swaying, his expression can't be seen clearly.

  His voice was somewhat weak, and he said to Nan Chengyao: "The emperor's suppression of the Northern Hu rebellion this time, winning over the hearts of the people in the north, and promoting the national prestige of our Southern Dynasty, is a great achievement. I am very pleased."

  Nan Chengyao smiled and replied: "The Holy Father's wisdom shines brightly, how could I, a humble subject, dare to take credit for Heaven's work as my own?"

  His Majesty chuckled and the cold, hard look in his eyes dissipated somewhat. He casually patted the back of my hand, then grasped it tightly without letting go. Turning to face me, he said, "It's rare for your queen to be so wise and willing to put her life on the line for the country. Indeed, a woman can be just as brave as a man. Which ordinary woman would dare take this risk with you?"

  I was somewhat perplexed, and could only smile faintly, lower my eyes, and remain silent.

  Nan Xiangyao smiled and replied: "A country without a nation, where does the home come from? This is originally the duty of us sons and ministers."

  The Emperor listened to Nan Chengyao's words and smiled, then turned to ask me: "Third Princess, do you also think so?"

  I smiled warmly and replied, "Your son doesn't understand these grand principles, but I do know that a wife considers her husband to be heaven. Since it's the Third Prince's order, your son will unconditionally obey."

  I watched as the emperor's eyes gradually faded from probing suspicion, and I secretly let out a sigh of relief in my heart.

  I am the queen of the three kings, the wife of Nan Chengyao, and also the daughter of Murong's family. With this military achievement, I have already been rewarded with a heavy seal, so at this moment, I must not show any sharp edges again.

  His Majesty rode a dragon to hurry to the capital city, inspecting and rewarding the triumphant army lined up outside the city gate. Nan Chongyao, as the commander-in-chief, naturally accompanied him.

  On such an occasion, as a mere woman, I would naturally not be allowed to follow along, and the eunuchs in charge of palace affairs had already prepared a horse-drawn carriage, which took me all the way to the Third Prince's estate.

  In the Sanwangfu, everyone seemed to have already received the news. Qin An led Xunyun, Zhuyu and a group of servants, respectfully waiting outside the main gate of the palace, not knowing how long they had been waiting.

  After paying respects, I returned to Guimoge. Since Nan Chengyao had not yet returned to the mansion, Qin An and Xun Yuyurou also followed Servant Hou on the way back.

  Inside the Ink Pavilion, compared to when I left, there hasn't been any change, it's still spotless, not a single trace of the owner having left can be seen. I smiled at Qin An and the two ladies: "Thanks for your trouble, General Manager Qin and the two ladies."

  "Your Highness, please don't say such things," Qin An hastily replied. "It's all just part of one's duty."

  Just then, Xun Yun took a cup of Bi Luo Chun from the small maid behind her and said politely: "The princess must be tired from traveling by boat and carriage, have a sip of tea to moisten your throat first."

  I took it, but before I could thank her, Shu Ying pressed down on my hand: "Miss, wait a minute!"

  I was puzzled until I saw her take out a silver needle from her bosom and put it in the tea to test the medicine, then I suddenly felt embarrassed. On one hand, I glanced at Xun Yun with a hint of apology, on the other hand, I reached out to stop Shu Ying's action: "What are you doing? Stop messing around."

  She put away the silver needle, which was as bright as new, and her face had an unprecedented stubbornness and seriousness: "The third prince has instructed that from now on, no matter where Miss is eating, she must personally check it herself before letting her eat, whether in the palace or back at Xiangfu."

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